Train order holding device



May 8, 1951 E. T. FORD TRAIN ORDER HOLDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1949 ztzzramz INVENTOR v v I 1 ATTORNEYS,

May 8, 1951 FORD 2,552,419

TRAIN ORDER HOLDIIEIG DEVICE Filed Dec. 19, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ZZZZZ'ard INVENTOR l BY I 1 ATTORNEYS- Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAINLORDER' HOLDINGL DEVICE;

Edward 'T.Ford, Redkey, ma.

Application December 19, 1949,- S'erial-Now 133,865 a 1 Claim. (01. 258-23) This invention relates to: adevice-*usedeby traimnen. in transferring orders or messages to moving trains.

Theprimary object of the invention. is: to

providea. train order. holder of. this character embodying a pair of pivoted members so mounted on the end ofastaif that either order holding device may be moved to a position with respect to the end of-the--staffso-that-itmay be conveniently and safely. removed therefrom by the trainman on the moving train;

Another object of the invention. is to..provide a train order or message holder embodying pivoted holding members to-which orders or in'essages: maybe attached -so--that the orders: or messages may be remove-d by the engineers zof engines wherein an engine ishconnected at the front end of a train of cars, and another engine is connected at the rear end of the train of cars.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational View illustrating the train order holder as adjusted for transferring a train order to the engineer of the leading engine of a train.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the order holder as adjusted for transferring a train order to the engineer of the trailing engine of the train.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the head secured to one end of the staff of the train order holder, a portion of the head being broken away to illustrate the main section of the order holders.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sliding latch arm used in securing the pivoted holder in its positions of adjustment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the keeper, under which the arm of the pivoted latch operating mechanism moves and is held.

Fig. 7 is a View of one of the pivoted clips that secure the order or message holding cords, to the arms of the device.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the spring cord holding devices that are mounted on the main portion of the order or message holder.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the order 2 orv message holder comprises-a staff 5; whichgis formed with ainotchpfiprovidinga shoulderrrl at the end thereof.

Secured to oppositesides of the'staif 5, are.

- the plates Band 9, whicheplates providea sup:

portfor the holder proper, which 'sincludes the head [6, which-is pivotally-mounted between-.the plates, by meanszofthebolt ll.

Extending inwardly. from one edge-of the; head, adjacent to the upper end thereof, .iswthe notch 12,: which notch is designed to receiyeth'efiange 13 .of. the-sliding-latch bar I4,-whichlatchnbar is formed with *a flange I 5 disposed in spaced" relation with the 'main portion-of the zslidingglatch bar so 'that it fits over one edge 'ofthe slot-1620f the plate'8 to hold the sliding-latch; bar forrtrue sliding; movement.=; It .will -be= obvious :when this flange 13 moves into the notch [2 of the head II), the head It] will be secured against pivotal movement.

O'ne edge of the head I6 is cut away, providing an extension I! at one end of the cut away portion, while at the opposite end of the cut away portion, a shoulder 18 is provided. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the head i0 may move in one direction until the extension ll engages shoulder I. In this position, the holder proper is in a position to provide an extension in direct alignment with the axis of the stafif 5.

When the sliding latch bar i4 is moved to release the head, the head may swing to a position until the shoulder l8 engages the shoulder opposite shoulder 1. In this position, the sliding latch bar may be moved so that the flange [3 thereof will frictionally engage the edge of the head, and hold it against movement, under normal conditions.

Extending from opposite corners of the head It), are the arms l9 that have their inner ends fitted in openings of the head, so that the arms l9 extend laterally at oblique angles with respect to the sides of the staff. Extending from points adjacent to the center of the end of the head, are the spaced arms 20 that are disposed in parallel relation with respect to each other.

These arms I9 and 20 provide supports for the clips 2| which are so constructed and arranged that a cord positioned within the clips, will be securely held against accidental displacement.

The fasteners 22 embody adjacent loops 23 that are secured together by means of the plates 24, one end of the wire material of which the loops 23 are formed, being extended downwardly as at 25, the end 26 thereof being disposed Within an opening formed in the head I0, securing the fasteners 22 in position.

These fasteners 22 are designed to grip a portion of the cord holders indicated by the reference character 21 and to which the train orders or messages are secured. It is obvious that by this arrangement of clips and fasteners, the cords to which the train messages or orders are secured, may be firmly held looped in a stretched position so that the trainman of the moving train may extend his arm therethrough, removing the message and holder.

From the foregoing it will be seen that dueto the construction shown and described, I have provided a train order or message holding device for transferring orders or messages from a standing trainman, to the engineer or trainman of a moving train.

It will also be seen that the holder may be used in transferring orders or messages to trainmen wherein an engine or lead engine at the front end of a train is used, and a, trailing engine .is used at the rear end of the train. As shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings, the device is adjusted so that the train order A may be readily removed by the engineer of the leading engine of the train. When this order has been removed, the sliding latch bar 14 is operated to allow the head to swing to the position as shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In this position the train order or message B is so located with respect to the staff 5, that it may be conveniently removed by the trainman of the trailing engine, passing his arm through the loop formed by the supporting cord.

The supporting cord is indicated by the reference character 21 and is preferably formed into loops so that the cord may be securely stretched in position between the clips 2| and the fasteners 22.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

In a train order or message holder, a staff, a pair of spaced plates mounted on opposite sides of the stafi, a head pivotally mounted between the plates, said head having a notch in the edge thereof and having an enlargement extending from the edge, the enlargement being spaced from said notch, a sliding latch bar mounted on one of the plates, a flange extending from the latch bar and movable to a position between the plates, said flange adapted to engage in the notch securing the head against pivotal movement, the enlargement on the head adapted to engage said flange of the latch bar restricting pivotal movement of the head in one direction, pairs of diverging arms secured to the head and extending therefrom, clips on the arms, and cords to which train orders are secured, clipped to the arms by said clips, said clips holding the cord in an extended position to receive the arm of a trainman in removing the cord and train order supported thereby.

EDWARD T. FORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,760,730 Webb May 27, 1930 2,289,213 Robertson July 7, 1942 2,341,089 Ford Feb. 8, 1944 

